Young Britons are putting themselves at risk when they go travelling, according to a new survey. By not bothering to take out travel insurance, almost half of 16-24 year olds are risking their dream holidays turning into nightmares.
Nowadays, it is commonplace for young people to jet off abroad with their friends, but if they are going cheap, travel insurance can seem like unnecessary extras.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) asked a variety of young people about their opinions on travel insurance. 38% of them thought that this kind of insurance was unnecessary, while 42% said that they wouldn’t bother taking out a policy.
16% apparently assumed that the government would pay for any medical bills they needed whilst out and about, thinking that the taxpayer’s money would come to their aid.
“Arranging comprehensive travel insurance should be at the top of their to-do list before departing. An accident or emergency abroad can end up costing thousands, and it’s often the family who is left to cover the costs” said the minister of the FCO Mark Simmonds.
Being without travel insurance, should there be a problem, can mean that alternative flights home as well as any medical bills, which can extend into the tens of thousands of pounds, all have to be paid for by the people who are stranded, or their families. Often these bills can far exceed what these people can afford.